Authorities on Wednesday announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver who fatally struck an L.A. County probation officer riding his motorcycle.

"Someone out there knows something, saw something or may even knows the driver who fled," Chief Probation Officer Jerry Powers said in a news release.

"The reward money is a reminder that Los Angeles has not forgotten, the LAPD has not forgotten and that this crime must be solved and the driver brought to justice," he said.

Kenneth Hamilton, 54, was riding his motorcycle home from work at a juvenile hall Oct. 28 when he was struck by a vehicle changing lanes at Soto Street and Lancaster Avenue in Boyle Heights, police said. He struck the curb, was launched from his bike and sent crashing into a pole.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car fled.

Hamilton's family was at a news conference Wednesday announcing the reward and pleading for members of the public to come forward with information. Probation staff who worked with Hamilton were also there.

Police have described the car involved as a Honda Civic and said the collision occurred at 5:50 a.m.

"This is like losing one of our own," said Los Angeles Police Department Det. Michael Kaden.

In addition to his probation work, Hamilton was also an assistant baseball coach at Santiago High School in Corona for more than 15 years.

Carol Lin of the Los Angeles County Department of Probation said County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will also likely introduce a motion next week for another $50,000 reward, which would bring the total to $100,000.